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October 20, 2003
Outrageous Policy
Have you heard about this?
Sgt. Brandon Erickson, 22, had just finished the third of five surgeries on his amputated right arm when he awoke at 6 a.m. to find a private in his room at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (search) with paperwork ready for him to sign.
She said, 'This is a paper that says you have to pay $8.10 a day for your food.' I went off the deep end," said Erickson, a North Dakota National Guardsman who was injured in Iraq in July when a rocket-propelled grenade struck the cargo truck he was riding in.
I can imagine. I've seen my dad, a disabled Korean vet, do something similar when they tried to refuse to reimburse his expenses to travel the 100+ miles to the VA hospital for some medical tests. And my dad's not one to lose his temper.
At least Congress is trying to reverse this policy. I should hope we've learned something, and treat this war's veterans better than those of previous wars.
I hope.
Posted by Rita at October 20, 2003 03:21 PM
Comments
..wow...that is tragic..but typical..the LEAST we can do is take care of these servicemen and women...
Posted by: Eric at October 20, 2003 03:45 PM
Farcical. Horrific. I have to stop thinking about that right now before I start throwing things.
D
Posted by: David Strain at October 20, 2003 04:38 PM
I wasn't too surprised. I've seen how my dad has been treated, as well as the Vietnam & Gulf War I vets....pretty damn shabby for the most part.
We should be ashamed.
Posted by: Rita at October 20, 2003 05:31 PM
I really don't want to believe that this is true. I intend to write to the VA and to the National American Legion Headquarters to raise hell about it.
Damn.
Posted by: Jim - Parkway Rest Stop at October 20, 2003 09:04 PM
yeah. i'm a military widow (now remarried). when i sought treatment for depression after my first husband was killed in desert storm, the VA tried to deny my claim. we went 'round and 'round. so, yeah, I can believe it.
Posted by: shelley at October 21, 2003 05:26 AM
Jim, the article says that the policy has been in place since the 80's...which is pretty bad.
Shelley, I can believe it. The VA is such a pain to deal with. My dad has fought with them for years. I have never seen such a collection of petty little Dostoyevskian bureaucrats...though he says they're better now than they used to be. My sister's next door neighbor was in Desert Storm and has been fighting with them to do something about all the weird health problems he's been having since his return.
Posted by: Rita at October 21, 2003 06:11 AM